United Nations, February 11, 2025( Nosheen Raja): Pakistan has said that developing countries’ efforts for inclusive social development are being stymied by the lack of the financial and structural resources in their pursuit of the 2030 Agenda.
Making a statement during the general debate on the 63rd Session on the Commission on Social Development today, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the UN, said that as evidenced by the Secretary General’s report, the core commitments contained in Copenhagen Declaration largely remained unfulfilled even after three decades since the holding of World Summit for Social Development.
He said that the number of extremely poor was estimated at 692 million globally with around 65% of the world population living in countries where income inequality is growing. He also noted that in those countries for which data exist, 57% of people report having low trust in public policies, a phenomenon that undermines the goal of social integration and inclusion.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that we are conscious of how indispensable social cohesion can be to achieve prosperity and sustainable development, adding that accordingly, Pakistan has prioritized poverty eradication, employment generation, and social inclusion with a special focus on social protection.
For promoting social inclusion and development, we have introduced programs, such as, Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Prime Minister’s Youth Program, micro financing schemes, universal health coverage programs and e-governance initiatives for public service delivery, among others, he told the attendees of the Session.
Ambassador Asim termed the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha as representing a critical opportunity to move beyond aspirations and implement meaningful solutions for a more equitable and socially inclusive future.
He outlined key objectives of the Summit, He said that recognizing social protection systems as essential for development, the Summit should advocate for adequate financing to extend social protection coverage to the 48% of the developing world currently without it.
Ambassador Asim further stated that the Summit should push for labor policies that guarantee minimum standards, protect informal workers, and ensure equal pay for equal work, arguing that investments in vocational training, skills development, and digital literacy, especially for youth and women, should be the focus of the multilateral event.
The Pakistan Alternate PR emphasized the need for transparent and accountable governance, which helps in combating corruption, enhancing public service delivery through accountability mechanisms, and reforming tax policies.
He further hoped that the Summit will stress the need for an inclusive and equitable international financial system. Key measures include advocating for comprehensive debt relief for developing nations, reallocating Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) toward social initiatives, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.
In conclusion, he said that the Summit should strengthen multilateral cooperation to integrate social inclusion and sustainable development on a global scale.